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You can make a difference! |
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(Last updated December 15, 2005) |
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The links below contain the true stories of mothers who succeeded in enacting Family Friendly Jury Duty laws for their states. |
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· Breastfeeding mother Angela
Ponzini of Menlo
Park, CA was
called for jury duty in Dec.1999 and was denied excusal by the Courts who
considered her situation a “personal inconvenience.” Incensed about her
mistreatment, Angela wrote to many legislators, including California
Assemblyman Ted Lempert who responded by sponsoring a bill which would excuse
breastfeeding mothers from jury duty. |
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· Barbara
Anderson of Fayetteville,
GA played an
important role in getting her state’s law changed, benefiting at-home moms
and at-home dads and most importantly, their children. |
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· Mothers
and More (Atlanta Chapter) met with the sponsor of Georgia HB 39 (providing a jury duty
exemption for sole caregivers of children under the age of 4) During the 2000
GA General Assembly Session and instituted a letter-writing campaign for its
support. Their unified support helped bring about the bill’s passage. |
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· Donna
Treadwell of Springfield,
IL, a
full-time mother of four young children, got called for jury duty and faced a
difficult dilemma: how do I fulfill my civic duties and yet care for my
children at the same time? After being denied an exemption due to valid
childcare concerns, she contacted Illinois state Sen. Margaret Smith who was
sympathetic to her situation. Sen. Smith sponsored and promoted Public Act
91-0264, amending the jury act to excuse those who have the responsibility of
caring for a child under 12 years of age. It was signed into law July 23,
1999. |
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· Tawni
Johnson of Hillsboro,
OR faced
contempt charges for refusing to leave her nursing child to serve jury duty
in Washington County. Tawni braved a media circus and criticism in order to
change Oregon’s law to protect the well-being of her child and the children
of her state. |
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The lesson that all these women share is that you can change the system! You can write one letter and make a difference, and your call could very well be the impetus for positive action. One thing is certain, if you don't get involved, you will never make a difference! Remember, you don’t have to be a professional lobbyist to have an impact, only a concerned citizen!! |
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You can make a difference! |
